What causes cerebral edema in newborns?

Neonatal cerebral edema refers to the accumulation of excessive fluid in the brain of a newborn, leading to swelling of the brain tissue. The main causes include the following: 1. **Hypoxia or asphyxia**: If hypoxia or asphyxia occurs during delivery, it may lead to oxygen deprivation in brain tissues, resulting in cerebral edema. This situation may arise due to abnormal labor, malpresentation of the fetus, or emergency delivery. 2. **Infection**: Newborns may become infected with pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, or fungi either during passage through the birth canal or after birth. These infections may lead to meningitis or encephalitis, which can subsequently cause cerebral edema. 3. **Brain injury**: Trauma during birth or abnormal pressure on the head—such as head compression during forceps-assisted delivery or cesarean section—can also cause brain injury and result in edema. If a newborn displays abnormal symptoms such as excessive crying, vomiting, seizures, or impaired consciousness, these may be related to cerebral edema and prompt medical attention should be sought.